This 6’9″ rural suburban car guy bought a Smart ForTwo 453 cabrio- and when he bought it he realized there wasn’t a lot of great reviews of owners.
Let me talk about what I love- and what I don’t love- about owning and driving the smart cabrio! I also share the specific mods I did. Sure its a few less mods than some of my other vehicles, but there’s definitely a couple cheap must to mods to this car!
So enjoy the review, enjoy the smart, and if you are interested in any of the same mods I did, check them out here:
NOTE: No company incentivized me or paid me to recommend their products or to choose these products. I chose each of these on my own accord because I believed they were the best product at the best price to fulfill my needs. HOWEVER, some companies such as amazon do offer referral commissions if you purchase from those links. While that commission did not impact any of my modification decisions, I do want to fully disclose this. Other pages, such as Ebay do NOT offer commissions and links are offered as a convenience to my visitors!
There’s lots of discussions around the best towing and hauling setups, and as someone who is both a professional in the auto industry and a heavy towing and hauling user, I wanted to sharing my setup for towing and hauling with my 2017 Ford F-150.
In the video I do say I max out towing and hauling. While I get right near max payload for hauling, TECHNICALLY you can get heavier in the trailer. However, with kids in the car, and keeping approx 10% trailer weight on the tow hitch, I hit max payload when pulling a trailer as well.
Setup is on a 2017 F-150 Max tow Lariat with 3.5L Eco Boost.
Andersen Hitch: https://amzn.to/3kea2NH . I bought the 8” drop because I had a lifted F250 at the time, but it is not needed on my F150. Its worth noting too that my hitch is way older than my truck.
There weren’t a lot of great reviews or mod lists out there for the P500 when I was shopping, so after I’ve owned mine for a year, I wanted to make sure I gave a great rundown. In addition, I’ve had a hard time tracking down a lot of the info online.
I’m 6’9″, Offroad, use for farm use, transport people, and participate in parades. The P500 is great for all those uses, and at a wonderful price as well. The compact size creates few limitations, but really opens the door to do things that you can’t do in other UTVs- like attack 50″ ATV trails and haul it in the back of a regular pickup truck. Let me show you all of these!
While its great out of the package, there’s also some key mods that are relatively cheap but have a HUGE impact, from increasing storage to protecting you from the elements.
Details on the modifications discussed in this video are available here:
Front Light Bar: Cannot find version I bought with wireless multi-color lights. This is the same but without the remote and light control: https://amzn.to/3DVkwLq
Underbody Lights: Unfortunately, I had these rope lights from more than 10 yrs ago. I’d buy this today, as this is the one I used on my RV: https://amzn.to/45m0rK3
Reverse Mod: Reverse requires pulling the reverse “Switch” and shifting in reverse. You can eliminate the need to pull the reverse “switch” by extending the reverse lock adjustment cable under the hood to its tightest setting. It does not impact any other driving components. No purchases required!
Emergency Kit Items:
My recommendation for emergency kit is to go jump on Temu and add a bunch of small things you will need including some of the following, then get the other items you need at amazon, walmart, or a dealership. Here’s most of my emergency kit:
1- Tool Kit (Pliers, wrenches, screw drivers) (Bought at Menards)
2- Tire repair Kit (Bought at Menards)
3- Tire Plug (Bought at Menards)
4- Coolant (Dealership)
5- Hose Clamps (Bought at Menards, also on Temu)
6- Zip Ties (Bought at Menards)
7- Gloves (Bought at Menards)
8- Towels (Bought at Menards)
9- Fuses (Temu)
10- Spare wire (Multiple gauges) (Found around house)
11- spare ratchet straps (Bought at Menards)
12- twine (Bought at Menards)
13- Spare Valve Stems (Temu)
14- Spare spark plug – https://amzn.to/3qkdmNY
15- Coolant stopleak tabs- https://amzn.to/3QzWYng
16- spare oil (Dealership)
17- JB Weld- https://amzn.to/3QAn0GO
18- First Aid Kit (Bought at Walmart)
19- Tourniquet (Temu)
20- Electrical Tape (Had laying around, also on Temu)
21- Safety Vest (Came with jumper cables, also on Temu)
22- Jumper Cables (Bought at Menards)
23- Shovel- https://amzn.to/45m0yoR
24- Tow Strap- https://amzn.to/45mPJmz
25- Air Compressor- Older version of https://amzn.to/3KAC1EB
26- Flashlight (Had one laying around, also on Temu)
27- Spare batteries for Winch remote (Ebay)
28- Poncho (Had one laying around, also on Temu)
29- Tire Slime – https://amzn.to/3DSx2vy
30- Self Sealing Hose Wrap – Bought on Temu, but like this: https://amzn.to/445hA9X
NOTE: No company incentivized me or paid me to recommend their products or to choose these products. I chose each of these on my own accord because I believed they were the best product at the best price to fulfill my needs. HOWEVER, some companies such as amazon do offer referral commissions if you purchase from those links. While that commission did not impact any of my modification decisions, I do want to fully disclose this. Other pages, such as EMP do NOT offer commissions and links are offered as a convenience to my visitors!
I like to fix things I buy as soon as I get them so that I can enjoy them without constantly fixing and modifying things. This spurred my “50 mods in 50 days” challenge on the Coachmen Spirit 2963 BH. I ended up doing 55 modifications! I went overboard I guess!
I’m not including all the fixings (tightening bolts and screws, etc) that come with a new camper. For those new to RVing, you should know that every RV has a lot of missing, faulty screws, and pieces that need to be repaired even when new due to the mass-manufacturing process.
I do want to share a little bit about my ethos though- I am very much a VALUE minded buyer, so I always look for things that generate the most benefit for the lowest cost. That does not mean I buy the cheapest every time, but rather I try to balance quality, efficacy, and cost. That does mean on places where the benefit is “small”, I may go cheaper, but where quality is “essential”, I spend a little more. Each item below was very very deliberate in its selection based on this ethos.
Adding a puck light to rear storage. If I didn’t have this one laying around the house already, I would have bought the better one I used below in the other compartment. This is the one I used, not sure if it’s the one I’d buy: https://amzn.to/38w033G
Moving the bunk lock so it locks easier
The not-at-all-exciting Mud Dauber protection devices (Water heater): https://amzn.to/3LnojDA I’m only using this one for storage because you can’t open the hot water heater with it installed.
Mud dauber protection for for furnace connection. This one is both more imperative AND you can leave it on year round0 https://amzn.to/3LnojDA .
Replacing the only cheap-looking-thing in the camper, the 1980’s bathroom faucet. EASIEST faucet replacement I ever had in my life and looks 10x better. – https://www.ebay.com/itm/301098244643
Added a new circuit for the outside fridge (Keep it from spoiling food when the GFCI trips). It also adds the separate circuit needed for the fireplace added later, and allows the fridge to be shut off when desired (like over winter). – Readily available in hardware stores, oddly unavailable to find the right one online.
Connected the TV to the Jensen stereo, so we can use the stereo speakers inside AND outside…. No more missing the details of the big game because I run outside. – https://amzn.to/3vKy345
Mounted (and routed the cabling) for a bluray player. Really frustrated they eliminated the DVD players from the 2963… but at least I now have bluray. https://amzn.to/38sW7AC I did need a right angle HDMI adapter: https://amzn.to/38sSzhC
Not much of a mod, but added a nice 30a to 15a adapter so we have electricity at home. https://amzn.to/3kiH3Z0 I also won’t count this as a mod because its more of an accessory, but get a circuit tester and surge protector. They are cheap and too many friends and families have fried their campers even at reputable parks: https://amzn.to/37Hd8al
Installed the level that came with the camper but wasn’t installed…
Installed a RAS HD (roadmaster active suspension) on the haul vehicle. https://amzn.to/3vJYt6g
SUBS. No bass at all for movies or music in these things, but I noticed a sub out on the Jensen. $0 and a few hours later, we’ve got amazing sound! Perfect spot for them behind the tv. I used a computer sub that was laying around at my neighbors house (thanks neighbor!) This is the perfect place behind the TV to hear it inside and outside, but only when you want it!
Mopeka Propane tank monitors. Nothing worse than running out of propane in winter! – https://amzn.to/3F6Bx5v
Faucet sprayer nozzle. Saw some others, but this one looks almost factory. Not as good as the 2020 pull downs, but at $12… A lot cheaper. https://amzn.to/3EU9buM
Towel holder. Not exciting, but needs to be done. Put on this wall because the door hits it on the other wall
Toilet paper holder.
Insulation/light block for bedroom. Not sure how anyone lives without these! – https://amzn.to/3vhDys6
Door stop for pantry door. One of the few poor designs on these things.
Put a switch on the subs. Sound great, but don’t want to bother the neighbors during a late night movie night! – https://amzn.to/37SC926
Gel foam mattress topper. So far so good, but wanted to try before putting a new mattress in like we did on all our other campers. It works much better. Can’t find the one we bought to recommend it though.
50″ Fireplace! I think this is the one most people have been waiting for, and I think I’m the first to put a full length fireplace in the spirit… https://amzn.to/3KklYbd . Very happy with the price, quality, and install simplicity. I could have pushed it back another inch but didn’t.
Child lock in main compartment – Did this on our first camper and it saves the day to keeping kiddos from getting out. https://amzn.to/3MAnO9g
Bug Zapper – Surprised how well these work. I bought mine at menards, but I can’t find it on their site. This looks like it works the same way: https://amzn.to/3EWbZYr
Added a google chromecast to bedroom TV. Chromecasts permit streaming from phones using local network (via the king router) even if there is no internet access, such as downloading movies from phones! https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast?pli=1&hl=en-US
Heater vent for the bunks (thanks Kevin!). Here is the collar you need for the heater: https://amzn.to/3MAMfUk . You don’t need a new vent if you put in a fireplace. Here’s the ducting I used- it comes with the clamps you need. https://amzn.to/3kfJRpK . I bought 25’, but I think 16’ is enough.
Electric outlet in storage compartment. This is not the one I used because I had a spare from home construction. There is enough room to use a home-use bracket, but its easier to buy this all in one unit vs the home ones which cost almost the same because you have to buy 4 pieces separately: https://amzn.to/3KkYGlx
Intranet wifi – https://amzn.to/3vmAgnA . I recommend this KING for a very good reason- It allows everything inside the camper to network WITHOUT external wifi, giving you an intranet you can use for streaming music, movies, or playing games and activities. Then when you get to a campground, one person (IE me) can enter the password to the king router and then all the devices inside the camper are connected to the wifi. In other words, you don’t have to reconnect devices at different parks! Huge savior! I tucked it behind the fridge.
Water / protection shelves on storage compartments. This is one of the only products way cheaper in your local hardware store, but here’s a link anyway: https://amzn.to/3kjr2lC
Motion detector light in storage compartment. There are one roe LEDs which are not nearly as bright. I recommend the 30 LED option: https://amzn.to/3kfL5Bl
outdoor thermometer. The wire is annoying but it is what it is. I didn’t want wireless because of reliability year round. I don’t like a lot of “maintenance” items. https://amzn.to/39m62bI
Extended wifi receiver behind fridge, right behind the plastic- much more effective! – https://amzn.to/38wPM7n
Bumper Reinforcements: Some 2963bh have boxed frames like mine, some have I frames. This is supposed to be able to work with both. https://www.quickproducts1.com/product-p/qp-sbsbu.htm . Necessary if you are putting any weight on the rear bumper, as our bumpers are not weight rated.
45, 46, 47 -Rhino portable holding tank + wheel kit + Bumper Mount. AKA “Honey Pot” for bringing sewage to the dump site for longer stays. The 2963BH has TINY tanks, so this helps. Camco holding tank: https://amzn.to/3KoQJM2 . RV Tote Carrier for your rear bumper. BE SURE TO USE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENTS BEFORE INSTALLING!!! https://amzn.to/3kfTTXN . Honey Pot steering kit to make it easier to transport your rhino tote: https://amzn.to/3Kn2kvb
Soap dispenser on wall of outside sink
Insulation added to underside (spray foam) to close up all gaps and help in winter. This is cheaper in your local retail store, but there are a LOT of gaps for air, and also mice and bugs. Worth taking the time to do: https://amzn.to/3OGPATl
“Window tinted” the heck out of the bedroom auto light so it still turns on all the time but it doesn’t wake me up at night. I used packing tape, but some day will replace with static cling window tint.
Drilled a finger hole in the wood above the dining seats so you can open them more easily from the top
Hook on the back of the door (command strip)
Sealed up the gaps between the rear cabinets and the outside for both winter and bug prevention (It doesn’t look like it was a problem with the build, looks like its designed like that). I used clear caulk. Gaps were substantial here and bugs got in if I leave the ouside door open.
Air Conditioner Repair: The Furion unit has the same problem as some other units on the market… It recycles cold air!!!! It was really bad. Thirty minutes later, i have much better ac. Here’s before and after and how I did it
The problem: even when installed correctly, there are substantial air gaps on both sides of the warm/ cold divider. This is exasperated by the fact that the two sided tape and self sticking foam won’t hold.A secondary issue is that the output vents to your twice cooled ducts are partially blocked/tapes over. This tape can be torn back and retaped to improve airflow through your ceiling vents.
The solution: take off the plastic cover (4 screws), then using aluminum HVAC tape, seal up the plastic divider as well as the massive gaps. I sealed from both sides to assure no airflow can pass the divider. I then replaced the foam and went overkill and sealed it up too. I then sealed around the bottom of the foam because there were two smaller gaps there. Put it all together and tada!!! 5x better air-conditioning!!! (ok.. more like 1.43x better. )
Want more recommended accessories that aren’t necessary “mods”? See what we use here: Must Have Accessories
A note about links: No one paid me to select any of these products. I selected all of these for my own use, based on my own research and decisioning. I provide these links as a courtesy, and while I have never received a payment for hosting links on my site, amazon may pay me a small percentage if enough people do buy from them- however, the products were not selected for this purpose.
I posted them from friends on the Coachmen Spirit RV Page asking me for what products I used!
Want more recommended accessories that aren’t necessary “mods”? See what we use here: Must Have Accessories
A number of my RVing friends have asked me for details on what products we use for RVing. This may be an aside to our usual topics, but I wanted to make this available for those friends!
Here’s what we use!
Andersen Hitches levelers: https://amzn.to/3kjesTo . If you have extended wheel bases like the coachmen spirit, they are perfect. If you don’t, you may have to cut/modify them a bit. No mods required on the coachmen.
I think its best to always have all the tools you need onboard the camper at all times, so to open, close, and winterize the water heater, here is the socket you need: https://amzn.to/3MANpz6
This is the 5- pack of chargers we bought to assure we could charge devices in the RV: https://amzn.to/3OFrrg7
This is the ceramic heaters we bought for the camper. If you want to use mini heaters, make sure you get one with 750w setting, as you will trip the breaker with two 1500w heaters. If it has a 750w setting, you can run two and keep the heater running on your existing electrical system: https://amzn.to/3y2fuLL
This is the “dust buster” vac we use in the camper and absolutely love it. Best deal on a lithium ion that is reliable! https://amzn.to/3Loquqy
This is the Drill I use to put down the stabilizers. I like this one a lot because it is strong enough to move the stabilizers but weak enough that it won’t “Jack up the trailer” and break the stabilizers like dewalts and similar will. It is also handy to have around the campsite! https://amzn.to/3vQhAv8
This is the leaf blower we use as well. It uses the same 20v battery pack as the drill, and is super light… but it comes in handy big dime, both to clean off the slides before closing the camper up and to clean up the site! https://amzn.to/3kdIM1M
I also bought this to pick up dog poop around the site. It works pretty well and its really well made. https://amzn.to/3LlwzUI
I bought these quick links to hang from my hitch to make it easier to connect safety chains: https://amzn.to/3kfUmcv
Collapsible dish dryer that fits in the sinks of the 2963bh: https://amzn.to/3vQfgEH (Also clearance for half price while they still have them at Menards!)
Sewer House Supports (get 20’-30’, do not get 10 or 15 unless you are at a permanent site!: https://amzn.to/3xTMlSD
Aluminum Step Stool for when your site has a HUGE step to the lowest rung of your steps! https://amzn.to/3Mvzw5a
These are the best dang rocking chair/camping chair (convertible) we’ve ever owned. They are on both amazon and Walmart. NO assemble really necessary (you snap on the bottom, that’s it). Not sure why amazon suggests spending 85 for assembly, but don’t do it. https://amzn.to/37SFwGi
Andersen Hitch is what we use- disconnect in seconds (literally), no heavy weights to lift which is great for disabled, older, or weaker individuals, and everything stays on the truck or trailer. It also has great stabilization sway control and has ZERO impacts/limitations on turning radius and backing up, where other manufactures require disconnections! https://amzn.to/3kea2NH . I bought the 8” drop because I had a lifted F250 at the time, but it is not needed on my F150.
I used to swear by x-chocks on other trailers, and I have a pair I used on my Keystone… but on the wide track wheel base of the coachmen, they are a little more finicky because you deal with clearance issues on the ground. I haven’t chosen to buy them yet, but this is the brand I used and liked in the size that fits the coachmen spirit: https://amzn.to/3vlIhJg .
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A note about links: No one paid me to select any of these products. I selected all of these for my own use, based on my own research and decisioning. I provide these links as a courtesy, and while I have never received a payment for hosting links on my site, amazon may pay me a small percentage if enough people do buy from them- however, the products were not selected for this purpose.
I posted them from friends on the Coachmen Spirit RV Page asking me for what products I used!
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If you are looking for cool modification and RV / Camper enhancements, be sure to check out the video and article on 55 mods in 50 days!
Want to hear about the 55 Mods / enhancements I did in 50 days specific to the Coachmen 2963bh? If so, check them out here!
